1 day Mikumi in a Day, by Train
The six o’clock train to Morogoro, a full day of game drives on the Mkata floodplain, and the evening train home. No overnight, no long drive.
Wildlife
Mikumi at the Top End
The train out, a private vehicle at the other end, and a lodge worth staying in. Three days in Mikumi with nothing shared and nothing rushed.
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At a glance
- Destinations
- Mikumi National Park
- Best for
- Wildlife safari
- Travel style
- Luxury · SGR train, Drive
- Activity level
- Easy — most of the day is spent in a vehicle or on a boat
- Best time to travel
- June to October usually gives drier tracks for three days of Mikumi game drives. The park is accessible in other months too; greener scenery and birdlife can reward a wet-season visit, with the train and lodge confirmed separately.
- Start and end
- Starts and ends in Dar es Salaam
Why this journey
- A private vehicle and guide for the whole stay
- The SGR to Morogoro, so no eight-hour road transfer
- Drives at dawn and last light, when the animals move
- An upscale lodge with the floodplain in front of it
- A community-hosted village visit on the middle day
Day by day
Everything about this route is the same park as the weekend train trip, done privately: your own vehicle and guide, an upscale lodge, and drives timed for the light rather than for a group.
Day 1 — Dar es Salaam to Morogoro (SGR) to Mikumi, evening game drive
An early departure from Dar es Salaam via the Standard Gauge Railway to Morogoro, with luggage support included. On arrival, a private safari vehicle provides a scenic transfer to Mikumi National Park with comfort stops. After checking into the luxury lodge/tented camp and lunch, an afternoon game drive timed for prime viewing and a sundowner at sunset, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Stay Mikumi Wildlife Lodge Meals Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 — Full-day game drives and Maasai village visit
The day begins before sunrise with a morning game drive during peak wildlife activity. A midday return allows brunch and optional pool relaxation or guided walks. An afternoon game drive explores further habitats and photo opportunities. Late afternoon brings a community-hosted visit to a nearby Maasai boma.
Stay Mikumi Wildlife Lodge Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 — Morning game drive, transfer to Morogoro, SGR to Dar es Salaam
A final dawn game drive captures last sightings and morning light. After breakfast and checkout, return to Morogoro with comfort stops, arriving for the evening SGR train to Dar es Salaam, with luggage assistance and hotel drop-off.
Meals Breakfast & Lunch
Stay and travel
Premium camps and lodges, chosen for where they sit rather than how many rooms they have.
The standard-gauge train for the long leg out of Dar es Salaam, then a 4×4 with a roof hatch.
Camps fill, and roads change with the rains. Where something has to change we substitute at the same level and tell you before you travel, not after.
Included and excluded
What is included
- Every activity named in the day-by-day
- Accommodation as listed, or a similar alternative if a camp is full
- Meals as noted against each day
- Transfers between the agreed pick-up and drop-off points
- Park, reserve and conservation area fees
- An English-speaking Tanzanian driver-guide
- A 4×4 with a roof hatch, or the vehicle the route calls for
- Drinking water through the day
- Government taxes
- Boat safari and transfers
- TANAPA armed ranger where the park requires one
Not included
- International flights, airport taxes and visa fees
- Travel, medical and baggage insurance
- Personal spending — drinks, laundry, telephone
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Anything not listed as included
Practical information
- Visas, insurance and tipping
- A visa is arranged before travel or on arrival. Travel and medical insurance is a condition of booking. Tipping is customary and we will suggest a range rather than set one.
Related journeys
1 day 2 days Mikumi & the Chizua Waterfall
A game drive on the floodplain and a walk into the Uvidunda hills behind it, where the Chizua falls come down through the forest.
Wildlife & Hiking
2 days Mikumi by Train — a Weekend
Out on Saturday’s train, back on Sunday’s. Two days in the Mkata floodplain without taking leave, and no eight-hour drive at either end.
Wildlife
Every route here can be changed
Tell us what you would keep, what you would drop and how long you have. We will send back a version that is yours.